Navigating Health

Pregnancy is a time of great excitement and joy for parents to be, but the major physical changes experienced by the mother can cause some discomfort and may be stressful. Close contact with your health-care team is the best way to protect both your own and your baby’s well being. The team will also be able to answer any questions that you have and reassure you that your pregnancy is progressing normally. Although most women feel anxious at some stage, it is important to remember that the vast majority of pregnancies end with a healthy baby.

Once you suspect that you might be pregnant, you should visit the doctor. By medical conventions, pregnancies are dated from the first day of the last period. Most routine antenatal care will be undertaken by a midwife, who will usually be based at your doctor’s surgery. Your doctor will refer you to a specialist obstetric unit based at a hospital but you will probably only see the consultant once in early pregnancy and a short time before delivery.

You will also visit the hospital for ultra sound scans. Your first antenatal visit will usually involve taking a medical history, followed by an examination. You will have to give a sample of blood and urine for a series of routine tests. At this stage, all tests are designed to pick up any significant risk factors that may complicate the pregnancy as it progresses. A healthy, balanced diet is extremely important during pregnancy in order to maintain your health and nurture your baby. It is usually only in the last couple of months, when your baby is growing rapidly that you may need to eat more.

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